Kelsea Nicole Ballerini (born September 12, 1993)[2] is an American country music singer signed to Black River Entertainment.Ballerini was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. She wrote her first song at age 13 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee two years later. At age 19, she signed a deal with Black River Entertainment. In late 2014, Ballerini released her debut single \"Love Me Like You Mean It\", which debuted on Country Airplay in October 2014. Ballerini also released a self-titled extended play for the label on November 24.She was named one of CMT's Next Women of Country in 2014. Ballerini performed for the first time on the Grand Ole Opry on February 13, 2015; she performed her current single \"Love Me Like You Mean It\".